To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference (SEAAOC), the event moved to the recently opened Darwin Convention Centre. Overlooking the new waterfront complex on one side, the Darwin LNG plant on the other and the Timor Sea stretching off into the distance, the location was the perfect setting for the 2009 event.

This year SEAAOC also participated in the inaugural NT Resources Week, an event that incorporated the region’s leading mining event, Mining the Territory, to provide delegates with even greater networking and business opportunities and an expanded exhibition.

Delegates were introduced to northern Australia's largest and longest established petroleum conference with the official welcome reception at Parliament House. Hosted by the Northern Territory Chief Minister, the Hon. Paul Henderson, attendees were able to meet and greet informally while enjoying a chilled beverage and an unseasonal rain shower.

In his welcome speech Mr Henderson focused on the gas sector, employment and Australia’s resilience through the global financial crisis.

He said “A significant underpinning factor for this resilience and confidence is the continued operation and development activities of the Territory’s major mining and energy projects.

“The largest contributor to growth in the Territory exports was LNG…which contributed $2.3 billion of total Territory exports.”

The conference itself began the following morning, with over 600 attendees witnessing a broad and comprehensive selection of speakers currently exploring, supplying, operating, governing and funding South East Asia and Australia’s booming offshore sector.

Highlights amongst the keynote presentations, panel sessions and interactive workshops were the Chief Minister’s bullish outlook for the future of the Territory’s spearheading of LNG projects, Sean Kildare’s positive endorsement of Inpex’s Darwin plant proposal, in addition to Alfredo Pires’ support for continued participation between Timor-Leste and Australia with regard to the Timor Sea Joint Development Area.

Rounding off the first day’s proceedings with a lavish dinner on the lawns of Sky City, delegates were able to compare notes on the day’s activities and engage in some serious networking.

The second day started with an interesting selection of internationally focused sessions outlining ExxonMobil’s PNG LNG Project and incisive financial outlooks from Angus Walker, Director Corporate Finance Oil and Gas, Paterson's, and Tri-Zen International Principal Consultant Tony Regan.

The afternoon then broke away into an operational study outlining the benefits of the Kupe Gas Project alliance followed by technical presentations from Honeywell Process Solutions and Endress + Hauser.

Service and supply issues for Northern Territory projects were highlighted by Kevin Peters, Executive Director, Northern Territory Industry Capability Network (NTICN) and senior representatives from regional firms Monadelphous, Universal Engineering NT and Shorelands Group.

With work done for the week it was time to kick back and relax at the SEAAOC Official Closing Function, or at least try and relax when the venue was Darwin’s infamous new attraction, Crocosaurus Cove!

Housing a number of over 5 metre long crocs amongst other fearsome reptiles, delegates got the chance to get up close and personal with the Top End’s notorious predators, before sitting down to a tasty meal with fellow colleagues, and for starters…croc steaks!